Children first!

Exhibition 16.01.03 > 31.12.03

Children’s fashion from the 18th to the 20th century

The Children first! exhibition Children’s fashion from 18^e to 20^e century was held at the Brussels Fashion & Lace Museum in 2003. This exhibition retraced the history of children’s fashion as well as children in society.

Exposition Les enfants d’abbord ©Musée Mode & Dentelle

At the start of the 18th century, children’s fashion did not exist

Until the middle of the 18th century, children’s fashion did not exist. The children’s clothes were merely copies of those worn by their parents. Young girls wore whale bones and basket skirts under their silk and velvet dresses, while boys were dressed like their father. They wore suits made up of panties, a jacket and suit.

During certain times, fashion trends appeared and tried to give children clothes appropriate for their age. But they did not last long. The search for children’s comfort has played second fiddle to an irresistible aesthetic competition between parents.

This temporary exhibition took place between 16 January 2003 and 31 December 2003 at the Brussels Fashion & Lace Museum.